A TRIO of Geelong players have not been offered contracts for the 2026 AFLW campaign.<\/p>\n
The Cats have told Gabbi Featherston, Melissa Bragg and Bella Smith they would need to seek other options moving forward.<\/p>\n
Featherston joined Geelong via pick 9 in the 2021 AFLW draft and went onto playing 22 games in the hoops across a variety of roles.<\/p>\n
Her incredible vertical leap saw her pinch hit in the ruck, play forward, back or on the wing throughout her career.<\/p>\n
Bragg crossed over from an elite netball career and played 18 games across four seasons for the Cats.<\/p>\n
She was selected by Geelong as an Other Sport Rookie on the event of the 2022 season.<\/p>\n
A tall utility, Bragg played at either end of the group as well as through the ruck.<\/p>\n
Bella Smith joined Geelong as part of a three-club trade involving her former club Brisbane and West Coast.<\/p>\n
Smith developed as a midfielder at the Cats, going onto play 11 games for the side, with her tenacity around the contest a highlight of her game.<\/p>\n
Geelong head of AFLW Dominique Condo thanked the trio for their contributions to the club.<\/p>\n
“Bella, Gabbi and Mel have all been valuable members of our AFLW program, and we thank them for what they have brought to our club on and off the field,” she said.<\/p>\n
“This time of year is always difficult as we farewell players who been great teammates and contributed to our program.<\/p>\n
“We wish all three players the best for the next chapters in their respective journeys.”<\/p>\n
Anna-Rose Kennedy, who spent the 2025 season on Geelong’s inactive list as she stayed in Ireland, has informed the club that she will not be returning in 2026.<\/p>\n
The four list changes follow the retirements of Erica Fowler, Meghan McDonald, Kate Darby and Shelley Scott at the end of the season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A TRIO of Geelong players have not been offered contracts for the 2026 AFLW campaign. The Cats have told Gabbi Featherston, Melissa Bragg and Bella Smith they would need to seek other options moving forward. Featherston joined Geelong via pick 9 in the 2021 AFLW draft and went onto playing 22 games in the hoops […]<\/p>\n